Historical Marker Program

The Town of Holly Springs has designated a number of properties in Holly Springs as historically significant to our community.

The initial historical markers were placed at the century-old Masonic Lodge on Raleigh Street and on Center Street, where the Mims Drugstore used to stand to mark not only the store but the Leslie-Alford-Mims home of the Town’s founder.

Examples of other markers include those commemorating:

  • The former grist mill at what is now Bass Lake Park
  • Holly Springs School, where Holly Springs Cultural Center stands now
  • The Norris-Holland-Hare House on Avent Ferry Road
  • The former Holly Springs Elementary School on the site of Hunt Recreation Center
  • The site of Revolutionary War Patriot Christopher Woodward's mill and the Woodward store

Historical Marker TourView the online Holly Springs Historical Marker Tour.


Historical Marker Criteria

Future historical markers will be placed as appropriate according to a set of criteria adopted by the Holly Springs Town Council on June 20, 2023.

Criteria for Designation of Historical Significance

  1. Local Historical Significance
    Local historical significance shall be determined by the committee based on the following factors:
    1. The relationship of the subject to Holly Springs’ history.
    2. The relationship of the subject to existing historical markers, such as whether the subject is included on an existing marker.
    3. The subject's contributions to the Town of Holly Springs.
    4. Consequence of the subject on the Town of Holly Springs’ history.
  2. Special Consideration
    The committee shall give special consideration to applications that demonstrate the following:
    1. The subject has had a significant and lasting local, state, or national impact on the Town of Holly Springs.
    2. The subject is related to historically underrepresented groups in the Holly Springs community.
  3. Limitations for Consideration
    The committee shall limit its consideration of applications as follows:
    1. The subject cannot be considered until at least ten (10) years after the death or date of occurrence of the subject.
    2. Individual structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places and/or recognized as local, county, state, or national landmarks may receive consideration but should not receive a historical marker for their individual architectural value. Rather, an individual or historic event associated with a site is more likely to receive consideration.
    3. Subjects already marked with existing monuments or historical markers shall receive less consideration.
    4. Cemeteries and burial places shall not be considered unless the application demonstrates that the cemetery or burial place meets the listed criteria.

Complete information may be found in the Historical Marker Policy.

Request a Historical Marker

Applications may be submitted to the Town Clerk’s office by email, US Mail, or in person and must be received by the second Monday in January. They should include complete and thorough documentation with selected photocopies and bibliographies from primary and secondary sources, and verification of the facts claimed.

The committee is comprised of one representative from each of the following Town Departments: Administration, Town Clerk, Communications & Marketing, Parks and Recreation, and Development Services, and one Council member.